Join SWOP East as we live blog from all over the world on December 17 for International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Details Coming Soon

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers- December 17

On December 17, 2009 Sex Workers Outreach Project-East will join other sex worker rights organizations all throughout the world in commemorating the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This date was chosen by Dr. Annie Sprinkle in recognition of the conviction of Gary Ridgway, the Green River killer, a man whose reign of terror over almost twenty years resulted in the known deaths of 48 women. These women, who also happened to be sex workers, were targeted by Ridgway because, in his own words, “I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught”.

Our current laws, enforcement practices and narrow social perceptions create a supportive environment for other Gary Ridgways to exist and thrive. One of our concerns is that sex work is an industry that is often marginalized, dangerous, or criminal. We want to see safety and rights granted to all sex workers – those in the industry by choice as well as those in the industry who want out. SWOP-East invites the community to commemorate this day with us as we remember colleagues lost to violence in the past year, to learn why laws both current and pending increase harm against the sex worker population and what can be done to create a non-violent future where violence against sex workers is an occurrence of the past.

December 17, 2009 9 PM Eastern Guest Amanda Brooks and Modern Hooker with a live report from events happening in Tucson, AZ

Listen to the Show
Download
Music Courtesy Rusted Root & Julie Waters

December 17, 2009 2 PM Eastern Guest Renegade Evolution

Listen to the Show
Download
Music Courtesy Rusted Root & Julie Waters

Presented by SWOP East Nuanced Humanism